Looking for opinions on how many studs to run in '99 Mach Z. ie. Stud the outside? Stud the crap out of it? The track is stock.

Thanks for any info..

:bash:

168 inside and outside the windows.

square 1 1/8" aluminum backer.

192 is perfect for a stock or modified Mach Z/Mach 1. Mine came with 168, so when I replaced them, I just kept the same amount. Hooks up very well on hard surfaces.

I ran 192 in my 1997 Mach 1 with good luck, using the old school Woody's template, two outside and two inside, 4 per lug. Hooked up good, but was hard to turn. I had to use at least 10" of carbide on the stock skis or Flex Skis to be able to turn decently. Also had Precisions the last season that I ran studs with dual 6" carbides.

My friend has 168 on his 97 Mach Z and 2000 Mach Z using a 3-4-3-4 using single and double Woody's backers, all on the inside belt of the track. I like the way both of his sleds hook up and turn (he runs 6" carbides on the flex skis on the 2000, and 8" on USI skis on the 97). I were to ever stud again, I would do it that way.

I wouldn't use 144, had couple other friends try that and had quite a few tearouts. One did 2 inside, 1 outside per lug, and then alternated the side of the outside stud, so that every other outside lug was studded, some tearouts were outside, some inside. The other did all inside.

My experience of what I have seen with Mach Z's that have been studded, use 168 if you are a little careful of where you spin your track or brake hard, and don't mind a little slip. Go for 192 or more if you want the ultimate in traction and race/ride ICE a lot, or if you've done a bunch of mods. I did bend a few of my 192 over the years, and my sled was pretty much stock.

168 in my 2000 mach z using a 3-4-3-4 pattern. i also like using the square alum. backing plates.

I had 168 studs across the board in my '99 MachZ. Worked great most of the time. Hard to turn under hard or icy conditions. My '03 will be centre picked with 168 and shaper bars on the front.

Thanks a million for the info guys...

SWRules